Recalling his political trajectory, Balami initially exited the All Progressives Congress (APC) in September 2022 to align with the Labour Party and the Obidient movement, driven by objections to inequality and the ruling party’s Muslim-Muslim ticket. However, he transitioned back to the APC in July 2024, citing the Labour Party’s internal leadership disputes and a perceived lack of a viable roadmap for the nation.

During an interview on Arise News, Balami clarified that he has not reached out to Obi either, emphasizing that his exit was a voluntary resignation born out of frustration rather than a termination.

“Peter Obi, since I resigned and left, he has never reached out to me. I was angry; I left. So why should I reach out to him? I left. I wasn’t fired; I left. So, as far as I’m actually concerned, he knows that when I left, I left,” Balami stated.

Addressing the youth who backed the Obidient movement during the 2023 elections, Balami encouraged them to evaluate President Tinubu’s government based on ongoing reforms and tangible outcomes rather than personal political alignments. He pointed to policy milestones such as local government financial autonomy, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), youth-focused appointments, and broader structural changes as the basis for his current backing, expressing optimism that the administration’s trajectory will foster growth and leave the country in a better state by 2031.

According to police reports, the fatal incident occurred on Tuesday night when Owori was targeted after resisting thieves who attempted to steal his phone and personal valuables. Witnesses speaking to the BBC recounted that the assailants struck the defender with paving stones, stripped him of his belongings, and left him unconscious outside his home in the Makindye division.

SC Villa spokesperson Asan Kasingye noted that the club captain was ambushed just moments away from his doorstep. Although he was rushed first to a local clinic and later transferred to a private hospital in Kampala, Owori succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday, August 5, at the age of 27.

Police spokesperson Rachael Kawala confirmed that law enforcement has initiated a full-scale investigation to track down and apprehend those responsible, stating that the crime scene has been thoroughly documented to preserve vital evidence.

Tributes from across the nation have poured in for the player, popularly nicknamed “Colgate,” who served as a versatile right-back and midfielder for both SC Villa and the Ugandan national team, the Cranes. In official statements, SC Villa lamented the loss of a treasured leader and friend, while the Federation of Uganda Football Associations and the national team echoed these sentiments, celebrating his profound impact on and off the pitch. The Ugandan Parliament also marked his passing with a minute of silence, calling on security agencies to fast-track their investigations.

Owori, who rejoined SC Villa in 2023 following a stint in Spain, was instrumental in helping the club claim its historic 17th league title in 2024—their first in twenty years. His stellar leadership had recently secured him a contract extension through January 2027, building on the national prominence he gained during Uganda’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. This devastating event follows closely on the heels of another violent crime in the capital that claimed the life of Ugandan rugby international Sydney Gongodyo just weeks prior.

During an appearance on TVC’s Beyond the Headlines, the PDP elder statesman emphasized that the internal leadership crisis plaguing the party remains unresolved, despite the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) releasing a list of presidential candidates. He argued that publishing candidate names does not settle the underlying legal battles between rival factions, asserting that only a definitive ruling from the Supreme Court can establish the authentic leadership and rightful candidate.

When questioned about whether he would consider backing President Bola Tinubu if the PDP is unable to field its preferred choice, George firmly dismissed the idea of supporting an alternative political platform. Instead, he made it clear that he would prefer to stay indoors, enjoy his coffee and tea, and abstain from voting if he feels the PDP is denied a fair chance.

Additionally, George called on President Tinubu to ensure a free and fair electoral environment where all eligible contenders can participate without hindrance. He advised the President—benefiting from incumbency—to distance himself from aggressive political allies and let the democratic process unfold transparently to boost public trust in the nation’s electoral system.